Aria’s POV

I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart giving a sharp, startled thump.

"What is it, Mr. Curt?" I asked, trying to sound steady, though my wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin.

Kevin Curt leaned against one of the supply boxes, that greasy smirk plastered across his face. His gold chain caught the afternoon light, gleaming like the gaudy prize of a man who thought too much of himself. The air around him reeked of oil, stale beer, and arrogance — and I had to fight the urge to wrinkle my nose.

He looked at me like I was prey — cornered, small, something he could toy with before deciding whether to bite. The way his eyes dragged over me made my wolf pace, restlessly within me.

"Someone did us a good deed," Kevin drawled, his voice low and slick. "Shouldn’t we show a little appreciation?"

My hands twisted together, my knuckles turning white. I didn’t like where this was going.

"It’s not like I’m asking you to do anything crazy," he went on, watching me like a snake ready to strike. "Just a quick video to say thank you — is that too much to ask?"

His tone was casual, but I could sense the underlying push, the silent command.

"But why me?" I asked, my voice small but sharp enough to cut through the noise of the courtyard.

There were plenty of others he could’ve chosen — older women who knew how to smile for the crowd, who could chatter sweetly and make the world believe their gratitude. I was quiet, withdrawn. The one who kept to herself and worked in silence. Why me?

"I don’t want it," I said finally, shaking my head. "If that’s what I have to do to thank him, I’d rather not accept anything at all."

My wolf hummed inside me with defiance.

Slowly, I began placing the donated supplies back into the box, even though every item in there meant survival for me and Lana. Warmth, shelter and Hope. But not if it came at the cost of doing something I was not comfortable with.

Kevin blinked, clearly taken aback. Then, seeing me turn to leave, his irritation flared. "The CEO of Hemsworth Group is giving you a personal monthly stipend of a hundred bucks!" he barked.

I froze mid-step.

For a moment, the world tilted. I could hear the faint thrum of my pulse in my ears, fast and erratic.

A slow, smug grin spread across Kevin’s face. He thought he had me hooked after mentioning money.

But my stillness wasn’t about the money.

"You said Hemsworth Group?" My voice came out quieter than I intended, barely more than a whisper. "Alpha Hemsworth?"

Kevin coughed, puffing up with self-importance as he stepped closer. "Who else? Asterfell’s golden boy — Alpha Nathan Hemsworth. Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of him."

My breath caught in my throat. The sound of that name slammed into me like a strike to the chest.

Nathan.

My mate, my curse, my undoing.

The man who had thrown me into a cell and walked away as if I meant nothing.

"What?" I managed to whisper, the air suddenly too thin. "But he’s the richest man in our country, Asterfell. Why would he...?" My voice cracked. "Why would he donate supplies to us? Why me?"

No. He couldn’t know. He couldn’t. I’d buried my trail, hidden my scent, stayed far from anything that could link us.

If he’s found me...

A sharp, dizzy wave hit me. My vision blurred at the edges, my wolf’s instincts screaming danger. If he knows about Lana...

Kevin’s laugh snapped me back. "You think someone like him would be interested in you?" he sneered. "You were just sweeping the street this morning. He probably saw you with your kid and felt sorry for you. You’re just a single mom with a scarred face. Don’t flatter yourself."

I took a slow breath, forcing the tremor out of my chest as I exhaled through my nose. My wolf bristled under my skin, pacing restlessly.

Right. It’s just pity, nothing more.

I must’ve overthought it. Nathan wasn’t here. He didn’t know where I was. This was just another cruel trick of fate and fate loved reminding me how small I’d become.

"I understand now," I said quietly, though my tone came out colder than I intended. "In that case, I won’t be taking anything. You can record the video yourself. Keep the supplies too."

Kevin’s oily grin faltered, and I saw his gaze harden. The kind of look that made the hair at the back of my neck rise. He wasn’t used to hearing no.

He stepped closer, his thick breath invading my space, the stench of sweat and tobacco burning my senses.

"Come on, be a good girl," he murmured, his voice slick like oil. "Do the video. I’ll make sure you get your own room, maybe even a heater. I’ll take care of you—"

The word care made my stomach twist. I took a sharp step back before he could touch me. "I need to check on my kid," I said flatly.

For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then fury twisted his face.

Before I could react, he yanked a fistful of my hair, snapping my head back so hard that stars exploded behind my eyes. Pain shot down my spine, my wolf snarling wildly inside me.

"You ungrateful little bitch," he spat. "You think I’m just gonna let this slide?"